The company said GNF4 builds on GNF3 (which was released in 2015) and features Ziron cladding and aluminosilicate doped uranium dioxide pellets – both advanced components licensed by the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
The company added: “Ziron cladding was developed to better resist corrosion, ensuring that fuel remains safe and reliable and is an enhancement to the Zircaloy 2 cladding that has been utilised in more than 175,000 GNF fuel assemblies worldwide. Aluminosilicate doped uranium dioxide pellets add an extra layer of reliability.”
Craig Ranson, Installed Base CEO, GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy, said: “GNF4 is engineered to provide plant operators with lower fuel costs per megawatt hour through increased performance and reliability.”
GNF4 is being fabricated at the Global Nuclear Fuel (GNF) manufacturing facility at Wilmington in the USA.
